Loose forward Ardie Savea will lead the side for the first time as Moana Pasifika looks to give themselves a boost before their opening two competition games in Australia.
Umaga said, "We're looking forward to finishing our pre-season with an exciting match in Pukekohe. The Chiefs are a talented team and we want to put up a good challenge and playing an entertaining and determined style of rugby."
Apart from having first five-eighths Damian McKenzie, halfback Cortez Ratima, centre Anton Lienert-Brown and lock Tupou Vaa'i making their first appearances of the season, the Chiefs will also have Emoni Narawa, Kaleb Trask, Jacob Norris, Samipeni Finau, Quinn Tupaea, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia and Malachi Wrampling having their first outings.
The Blues head to Wainuiomata to play the Hurricanes on Friday. They are looking to replace lock Sam Darry, who suffered a shoulder injury at training last week and requires surgery that will force him out of the Super campaign.
The Hurricanes go into the game with their captaincy for the season unresolved, with flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and centre Billy Proctor named co-captains for the team. With Lucas Cashmore suffering an MCL injury, the Hurricanes have work to do to settle on a first five to eighths, with Ruben Love also unavailable until round five.
Playing on home turf in Invercargill on Waitangi Day, the Highlanders produced a physical display to complete two wins in their pre-season warm-up against the Crusaders to claim a 29-24 win.
The Crusaders enjoyed a nine-point lead at halftime but were scoreless until five minutes from the end. It was another game of injury frustrations for the Crusaders, with midfield back Dallas McLeod, hooker George Bell and prop Kershaw Sykes-Martin leaving the ground with injuries - McLeod and Bell in the opening 15 minutes.
Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai thrived in playing second five-eighths while wing Caleb Tangitau impressed on his wing. Replacement flanker Xavier Saifoloi showed his power running for the Crusaders when making the break that led to wing Macca Springer's second-half try.
Highlanders 29 (Jona Nareki, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Michael Manson tries; Cameron Millar con, pen; Sam Gilbert 2 con) Crusaders 24 (George Bell, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, Macca Springer tries; Taha Kemara 2 con). HT: 10-19